Roy Chiriankandath Joseph, widely known as CJ Roy, was a self-made real estate titan whose death on January 30, 2026, sent shockwaves through Bengaluru's business circles. The 57-year-old founder and chairman of Confident Group shot himself with his licensed firearm at his Richmond Circle office around 3:15 PM, amid a three-day Income Tax Department raid led by a Kerala-based team. Staff heard the gunshot, rushed in, and found him in a pool of blood; he was rushed to a nearby hospital but declared dead on arrival. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh confirmed the incident to PTI, noting a case was registered based on a complaint from Confident Group's director. Forensic, ballistic, and crime scene teams processed the site, but no eyewitnesses have been identified, and police await details on the I-T probe's scope—rumors swirl of scrutiny over unaccounted cash flows and land deals.

Born in Kerala and raised in Bengaluru, CJ Roy's early life immersed him in real estate through his mother, a savvy local agent who bought 30-40 plots at a time, built homes, and flipped them profitably. As a teenager, Roy handled her accounts, mastering land acquisition, financing, and market timing—skills that propelled his empire. He is survived by wife Lini Roy, son Rohit, and daughter Ria Mary Roy, who reside in Dubai, while he anchored operations in India. Roy's career pivoted from corporate drudgery—stints at BPL, TVS, and HP in the 1990s—to bold entrepreneurship. In 2001, spotting untapped potential in Sarjapur's barren fields (land at ₹6 lakh/acre), he founded Confident Group in 2005 despite family opposition. His wife's lone support paid off: today, the group boasts luxury townships, villas, and commercial spaces across Bengaluru and Kerala, with projects like Confident Sarjapur valued at billions.

Roy's flamboyance shone brightest in his automotive obsession, sparked by a 1994 Maruti purchase and a snub from a dismissive salesman. He amassed a jaw-dropping collection: 12 Rolls-Royces (including a Phantom Drophead), a ₹20 crore Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg Agera, multiple Lamborghinis (Aventador SVJ), McLaren 720S, and Mercedes-Maybachs. He even repurchased his original Maruti for ₹10 lakh after a nationwide hunt. Beyond cars, Roy diversified into entertainment and sports. From 2007, Confident sponsored reality show prizes—like ₹1 crore apartments on Asianet and ₹10 lakh for Bigg Boss Malayalam winners—and financed 10+ Malayalam/Kannada films including Casanovva, Marakkar, and Rangappa Hogbitna. Sports ties included sponsoring West Indies cricket (2013-14) and Sri Lanka at the 2016 ICC World Cup; in 2022, he hosted global film awards in Dubai, Singapore, and India.

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Philanthropy rounded out Roy's legacy: post-2018 Kerala floods, Confident rebuilt hundreds of homes and funded cultural programs. Yet, the I-T raids—ongoing since January 28—may have tipped the scales. Sources indicate probes into alleged tax evasion, benami properties, and hawala links tied to his Kerala investments, with unconfirmed seizures exceeding ₹50 crore. Confident's Facebook tribute hailed him as a "beloved leader" whose vision endures, vowing continuity amid mourning. As investigations unfold, Roy's story—from rags-to-Rolls-Royce to tragedy—highlights the high-stakes world of Indian realty, where bold visions collide with regulatory scrutiny.

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